* The engraving titled in Latin "BLASPHEMAMUR, ET OBSECRAMUS" is from a book "La vie de S. Basile le Grand, archevesque de Cesaree en Cappadoce, et celle de S. Gregoire de Nazianze archevesque de Constantinople, : divisees en douze livres. Dont les dix premiers representent la suitte de leurs actions & celles de plusieurs saints de leur siecle, & les deux derniers contiennent le paralelle de leurs vertus, & la conformité de leur doctrine. / Par M. Godefroy Hermant ..."
It is by Hermant, Godefroy (1617-1690) and is now in public domain. The artists signature is left of the Christian's feet on the road.
This historiated headpiece depicts a crowd stoning a Christian martyr with the Latin phrase BLASPHEMAMUR, ET OBSECRAMUS from 1 Corinthians 4 which means "when we are slandered, we answer gently".
Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University.
>1. What does it mean "Do not go beyond what is written" and how does it apply to Bible study?
* 1 Corinthians 4:6 "Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, "Do not go beyond what is written." Then you will not take pride in one man over against another."
*
Chapter 4 Overview.
The apostles lived a hard life. They were poor. They endured persecution. All but John were killed. They had no home. They were ridiculed. They did not have fine clothes. They went without food and drink.
People who have often poorly judge those who have not. Wise people often poorly judge those who are not. Strong people often judge those who are not. The poor and strong judge the rich.
I have heard messengers state that God intends us to be rich. If that was true for all Christians, then why wasn't it true for the apostles? Why did Paul write, "For it seems to me that God has put us, apostles, on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena? We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings." The truth is, some will be rich, and some will be poor.
I have very little in this world. I am not rich. It's easy to envy and covet. Yet, Jesus and Paul did not. They helped all kinds of people, no matter their life circumstances.
Listen to the above 1 Corinthians 4 overview.
* "Now, brothers" -Though Paul is using subtle satire, he still addresses them with respect as brothers in Christ. He is writing in love with respect.
* "so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, "Do not go beyond what is written." -Believed to be a Jewish rabbi saying to keep heretics at bay. It did not work for the Jews. They missed the words meaning as Jesus often pointed out.
* At times when looking and thinking about a passage we tend to take it out of context. In making it revelant to the audiance, and having an apeal we do not take it for what it says. Such was the case of the teachers of the law in Jesus' day. Have I done this in my commentaries? I try to present what others have written and said, often picking one over the other. Time sometimes reveals an interpretation wrote are inaccurate. I am only human with flaws. I make mistakes.
>How did their practice of this lead them to take pride in a man?
* "Then you will not take pride in one man over against another." -Pride was the root of their problem. With humility we can understand the word properly because we rely on the Holy Spirit to reveal it.
* They chose a man based on teaching that they believed was right. There is nothing wrong in this. What was wrong they began to gain a puffed-up opinion of themselves, thinking they had great discernment.
When we say, "I do not judge. I discern." Is there a difference? Or am I making an excuse? How can I know if I am like old man Nicodemus who approached Jesus in the night to get answers and make a decision about Jesus. He sarcastically said, "Can a man step inside his mother's womb and be born again?" He went beyond Jesus' saying to riducule him.
>2. Why isn't there any room to boast about yourself or anyone else? (7)
* 1 Corinthians 4:7 "For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?"
* "For who makes you different from anyone else?" -God.
* "What do you have that you did not receive?" -Nothing.
* "And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?" -The only answer is because I am ignoring God's work and claiming it as my own.
* Snake Pride.
"I have made myself." These four words are one of the main causes of divisions. Using one word instead of four would be "pride". "Do not take pride in one man over against another," Paul told the congregation at Corinth. "Over and against another" is division caused by pride.
Everyone has opinions. Truth is truth. Yet, truth for mankind is mostly like the wind. We either cannot grasp the truth or we go about our lives ignoring it till it blows hard into our face. When truth evades the proud, an opinion is presented as truth. A pair of prides presenting their opinions as truth is an argument that causes division.
Paul repeats to defeat their pride. "You received it. Why do you boast as though you did not?"
Pride is a snake hiding in the tall grass of my soul, all coiled up, ready to strike and infect me with its poison. Everyone has a snake in the grass of their soul. If you believe you do not have the pride snake in your soul, then that is pride telling you so. Do not idolize anyone. Catch the wind today.
Listen to the above comments on 1 Corinthians 4:6-7.
>3. What is the common misconception about what people want, especially riches? (8a)
* 1 Corinthians 4:8a "Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have become kings--and that without us!"
* "Already you have all you want!" -Paul is using ridicule to rebuke their pride. Yet, in verse 14 he says he is not shaming them. Who has all they want? Can the proud actually really say that and believe it in their own heart? The proud are never satisfied. As long as the proud heart knows its owners lies, it wants more to prove itself true.
* "Already you have become rich!" -Paul is again using ridicule to rebuke their pride once again. Yet, in verse 14 he says he is not shaming them. The greedy are never satified with what they have. They always want more.
* "You have become kings--and that without us!" -Ridicule once again. Yet, in verse 14 he says he is not shaming them. A king has absolute rule.
>What are true riches? (19-21)
* Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
* Jesus taught us true treasures are in heaven. Earthly treasures are precious metals and jewels. Not so in heaven.
>What does Paul mean by bringing up being kings? (8b, 6:2-3; Matt.19:28-30; Rev. 17:14)
* 1 Corinthians 4:8b "How I wish that you really had become kings so that we might be kings with you!"
* 1 Corinthians 6:2-3 "Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!"
* Matthew 19:28-30 "Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first."
* Revelation 17:14 "They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings--and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers."
* "and that without us! ...kings with you!" -Referring to the second coming resurrection where we will reign with Christ. They were acting like they were rich kings already. Judging and ruling.
>4. Who is normally at the end of processions (parades)?
* 1 Corinthians 4:9 "For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men."
* "on display at the end of the procession," -In Roman times condemned men, those used as human fodder were just before the street cleaners (dung cleaners). Dung cleaners are at the end of a parade.
* "men condemned to die in the arena" -The most famous arena was the Colosseum in Rome. However, historians now believe few Christian executions took place there compared to other places like Circus Maximus and other areas where Roman races were run. Paul is perhaps writing of condemned men in general and not just Christians.
* "We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe" -All that was created, which is everything except God himself, the trinity.
* "to angels as well as to men." -Angels are not of earth. They watched as the earth was created.
>Why was Paul comparing apostles to the Corinthian Christians? (10)
* 1 Corinthians 4:10 "We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored!"
* "We are fools for Christ" -Contrasing the apostles lifestyle and teaching to those in Corinth.
* "you are so wise in Christ!" -Paul is still using ridicule to rebuke their pride. Yet, in verse 14 he says he is not shaming them.
* "We are weak, but you are strong!"
* "You are honored, we are dishonored!"
>What was the human state of the apostles? (11)
* 1 Corinthians 4:11-13 "To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world."
* "hunger and thirst... rags" -Physical harm.
* "brutally treated... homeless" -Social harm and rejection.
* "We work hard with our own hands" -Occupation to support self while conducting ministry for the church and evangelizing.
* "When we are... we" -Three examples of "turning the other cheek" and "do not repay evil for evil".
* "we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world" -Jesus said, "The last will be first and the first will be last."
>Why would God allow this to happen to his loved ones?
* Rich Reign.
Why does one have more than another? We usually compare ourselves with those who have more and desire to be like them. Who compares themselves to someone who has less and more hardship and say, "I want to be like them?"
Apostle Paul contrasts the Corinthian congregation with the apostles, something not hard to do. The gap between have and have not, as well as life condition were great. He does this as a wake-up call.
Wanting a better life is not wrong. However, being content with where God put us and what God has given us is what is expected. Paul accepts that he is a fool for Christ, a fool by worldly standards.
An old hymn says, "The way of the cross leads home." When Jesus invited people with, "Follow me," he was saying just that. Are you following Jesus by carrying your cross? Are you a fool for Jesus? A popular Christian album is titled, "Jesus Freak." The world will agree. Only a freak will carry a cross as they go to their eternal home.
Listen to the above comments on 1 Corinthians 4:8-13.
II. The Kingdom of God is a Matter of Power (4:14-21)
* The engraving is from The Art Bible, Comprising the Old and New Testaments with Illustrations, George Newnes, Limited, London, South Hampton Street, Strand ,1896. 1 Corinthians 4:11 is the cited passage.
>5. Why was Paul warning them? (14-15)
* 1 Corinthians 4:14-15 "I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children. Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel."
* "I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you" -He used strong words. They must have felt shame if they were to change their ways. He did not want to shame them for shames sake. He wanted them to change.
* "as my dear children." -Children in the aspect that God used him to be lead to the Jesus who became their spiritual Father. Paul was like Abraham's servant who brought a bride for Isaac. In that sense, she was like his child till she was married to the son.
* "for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel." -Paul used very careful words: "in Christ Jesus" and "through the gospel". Jesus did say, "Do not call anyone your faither except God." (paraphrased)
* Sometimes harsh words can lead a proud stubborn heart to change.
>Considering the life Paul just described an apostle led, why is his exhortation to imitate him hard?
* 1 Corinthians 4:16 "Therefore I urge you to imitate me."
* Jesus taught everything that Paul said the apostles were doing. Jesus does not call us to follow his simple easy going life. He did not live a simple easy going life and neither did his apostles.
>How is this the same as Jesus' life while on this world?
* My Way of Life.
Jesus said, "If you love me, you will obey what I command." (John 14:15) Here, Paul instructs the congregation in Corinth, "I urge you to imitate me... my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church." (16, 17b). Later in this letter, he will repeat, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." (1 Corinthians 11:1)
So, I ask myself, "Do I obey Jesus' command whether people see it or not? Is my lifestyle worthy of following? Would I want my children, whether I have children or not, to do as I do and say as I say?" Parents are often shocked and embarrassed when their toddler repeats in public what they do within the confines of their homes.
How shocked and embarrassed will I be when on judgment day, what I thought, the motives of my heart, will be exposed for all to see? I do not want to be shamed then. Therefore, I will work at changing my ways now to imitate my Father and Master, Christ Jesus.
Listen to the above comments on 1 Corinthians 4:14-17.
>6. Who did Paul send to them and why?
* 1 Corinthians 4:17 "For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church."
* "For this reason I am sending to you Timothy" -Timothy was with Paul. He would deliver the letter. Timothy had been with Paul since the early days of Apostle Paul's minsionary journeys, starting from the second missionary journey.
* "my son whom I love" -Not actual physical son. Timothy and Paul had similar backgrounds. Their mothers were Jewish, but their father's were not. Both came to faith in Jesus and were active in the early church.
* "who is faithful in the Lord" -Mark was on Paul's first missionary journey with Barabus, but left in the middle of the journey because of the hardship. Timothy is not recorded as every leaving a missionary journey or his post.
>What does "life in Christ Jesus" tell us?
* "my way of life" -His lifestyle.
* "my way of life in Christ Jesus"
>How can and should we be an example to others?
* Doing what Jesus did an taught. Jesus said, "If you are my disciple, you will do what I say." "If you love me, you will obey me."
>7. What does arrogant mean? (18)
* 1 Corinthians 4:18 "Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you."
* "arrogant" -Arrogant means making claims or pretensions to superior importance or rights; overbearingly assuming; insolently proud.
>How can a Christian become arrogant?
*
>How can we avoid becoming arrogant?
* This may sound silly, but remain humble. Humility is remembering my place before God. Humility is considering everyone better than me. Humility is remembering and taking ownership of my faults, errors, and sins. Humility is recognizing the good in others.
>8. What did Paul say his intentions were?
* 1 Corinthians 4:19 "But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have."
* "But I will come to you very soon" -Apostle Paul is on his third missionary journey. Acts 19:1 says that "while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus". He preached in the synagogue for three months (Acts 19:8) then preached daily in a lecture hall for two years (Acts 19:10). Then he went around Macedonia (Acts 20:1) ending up in Greece for three months (Acts 20:3), and then back through Macedonia (Acts 20:3). Timonty is stated to be with him (4). Paul continued till he arrived in Jerusalem (Acts 20:22). It seems he never made it to Corinth on his third missionary journey.
>What did he qualify his plans with?
* "if the Lord is willing" -The Lord was not. Only Timothy went. Paul is not recorded to making it there during his third missionary journey, after writting the letters 1 and 2 Corinthians (as well of the exchange of letters that proceeded them.). When he arrived in Jerusalem after the third missionary journey he was arrested and was sent to Roman.
*
>What two things was he going to find out?
* "then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking"
* "what power they have"
*
>9. What kind of power is in the kingdom of God? (20)
* 1 Corinthians 4:20 "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power."
* "the kingdom of God"
* "is not a matter of talk"
* "but of power."
*
>10. What was Paul willing to do with those he not only lead to Christ, but also taught for a year? (21)
* 1 Corinthians 4:21 "What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?"
* "Shall I come to you with a whip"
* "in love and with a gentle spirit?""
*
>Under what circumstances was Paul willing to use his authority?
* Kingdom Power.
The Kingdom of God is stated nearly 300 times in the New Testament. The Old Testament consistently foreshadows the Kingdom of God. Paul states that the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power (20). Jesus is the King. He is power and coming in power (Revelation 1:10, 12-18, 4;1-6, 5:6-8).
God's present reign in the lives of his people - that dynamic, peaceful, loving new life in Christ (3; John 14:27; 2 Corinthians 5:17), the power of the new birth (John 3:3-8), showing itself in a humble life, dedicated to Christ and his church - that reign is the kingdom of God in all is power and glory.
To the arrogant in Corinth, Apostle Paul says, "I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out... what power they have." Paul, full of the Holy Spirit, will come in power, if the Lord wills it, to the congregation the Lord Jesus led him to found. He will not come with shouts. He will not yell. The presence of power was enough to bring armies down in silence.
The power that raised Jesus from the dead is within his people, for that power is the Spirit of God, who hovered over the formless dark deep in the beginning (Genesis 1:1-2). The genuine power of the Holy Spirit is ever present; sadly, it can be denied, as some arrogant people in the Corinthian congregation did. I should not be a subject of the Kingdom who rejects the Kingdom's power. (Acts 7:55)
Listen to the above comments on 1 Corinthians 4:18-21.
